The National Office of Tax Administration (ONAT) in Holguín has enforced travel bans on more than 1,300 individuals with outstanding tax debts, as announced by the provincial director, Jorge Félix Pérez Marrero. This policy is part of a nationwide effort to combat tax evasion and underreporting of income, ensuring that those with unpaid tax obligations cannot leave the country without first settling their accounts.
In statements to the state-run newspaper Granma, Pérez Marrero emphasized that this initiative not only recovers resources for social spending but also tackles chaos and impunity in the fiscal sector. While previously some individuals managed to legally exit the country without fulfilling their tax duties, the official stated that ONAT is now implementing more rigorous controls to prevent such occurrences. "It is a priority to uphold fiscal order and justice," he stressed.
The travel restriction has sparked discussion among those who believe it strengthens civic responsibility and those who view it as an oppressive measure amid the island's current economic and migratory crisis. In October 2023, the Cuban regime blocked a taxpayer with a debt of nine million pesos to ONAT from leaving the country, as reported by the official newspaper Escambray, which defended the legality of preventing indebted taxpayers from departing.
Just a month prior, the government announced that citizens with outstanding debts to the tax authority would be restricted from traveling until their accounts are settled. In April 2024, it was revealed that 200 Cubans in Sancti Spíritus faced travel restrictions for allegedly underreporting their income, though no details were provided on the basis for these accusations.
Impact of Tax Debts on Cuban Citizens' Travel Rights
Why has ONAT restricted travel for over 1,300 people in Holguín?
ONAT has restricted travel to ensure that individuals with unpaid tax obligations resolve their debts before leaving the country, as part of a broader strategy against tax evasion and underreporting of income.
How is the travel restriction policy affecting Cuban citizens?
The policy has triggered debate, with some arguing it enforces civic responsibility, while others see it as restrictive given the current economic and migratory challenges in Cuba.
What happened to the taxpayer with a nine million peso debt in October 2023?
In October 2023, a taxpayer owing nine million pesos in taxes was prevented from leaving Cuba, highlighting the enforcement of travel bans on those with significant tax debts.